Page 104 of Finn

“I’d never be far. And the instant you asked for me, I would come.”

“What if I didn’t?”

“I would be content knowing you were all right and happy.”

“I’m never happy unless you’re with me.”

“Mo chroí,” I whispered.

“I love you,” she said again. “Do you still love me?”

“How can you ask me that? Of course I do.”

She opened her mouth, then closed it.

“Say it, Una. Ask me whatever you need. Tell me whatever you have to tell me.”

I didn’t expect her next words.

“Lopez never touched me, Finn. Not sexually.”

I frowned. “I know.”

“You haven’t touched me since I came back.”

“I hold you every night. I’m touching you now,” I argued.

“Before I was taken, you couldn’t be in the same room with me for ten minutes without trying to ravish me.” She blinked up at me. “You don’t want me anymore?”

I shut my eyes, pulling her close and pressing my lips to her forehead. “I want you every second of every day. But you’ve been through so much. Hurt. I didn’t know if you were ready—if you wanted to be touched that way, Una.”

“I want it from you, Finn. I want your touch to erase all the bad ones they inflicted. So all I remember is how good it feels to be touched.”

I swept her into my arms, carrying her to the bedroom.

“Then let me remind you.”

* * *

I laid her on the bed, hovering over her.

“This is going to be slow, Una. And I want your words. If you’re scared or feeling anything but pleasure, you’re going to tell me.”

“And you’ll stop?”

I shook my head. “We’ll start again. I won’t stop until you’re mine again. Completely.”

I peeled off her clothes, kissing every inch of flesh I uncovered. Every bruise or laceration that still marred her skin. I touched her with reverence, grateful that she was still mine. That she survived. That she was ready to be with me again. I kept my mouth gentle and my touch light as I caressed her. I praised her, wanting her to hear my voice.

“You are so beautiful.”

“I love your freckles—all the little grains of sand all over your skin. Sexy little dots only I can see. It makes you even more mine.”

“You have such elegant feet. Delicate, yet so strong. Just like the rest of you.”

“Are you still ticklish, mo chroí? Here?” I let my fingers drift over the backs of her knees, delighting in her low giggle.

More than once, I felt her tense, and I refused to move on until she relaxed again. I didn’t grip her wrists or hold her down, certain those would trigger her panic. I kissed her slowly, deeply, letting her feel my love. She began getting lost in the moment, falling into her passion. She grabbed the hem of my shirt, tugging it off me. The feel of her fingers on my back, stroking and gripping me, was indescribable. I licked at her neck, nuzzling my face into the fragrant spot at the base of her throat, groaning her name.